FAA Adopts New ASTM Rules for Light-Sport Aircraft
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 16, 2026, the FAA officially accepts new ASTM standards to help certify light-sport aircraft like airplanes, gliders, powered lifts, and gyroplanes. This means manufacturers and builders can follow these clear, agreed-upon rules to get their aircraft approved faster and easier. If you’re involved in making or flying these fun, lightweight aircraft, keep an eye out—comments on these standards are open until August 17, 2026, with no extra fees involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
FAA Accepts ASTM Standards as MOC
Starting July 16, 2026, the FAA accepts ASTM integration standards F3815-26a, F3836-26, F3840-26, and F3841-26 as an FAA-accepted Means of Compliance (MOC) to support issuance of special airworthiness certificates for light-sport airplanes, gliders, powered-lift, and gyroplanes. This gives manufacturers and certificate applicants an FAA-accepted set of standards to use when seeking special airworthiness certificates under the specified part 21 and part 22 provisions.
Transition Rules Around July 24, 2026
Consensus standards that were FAA-accepted before July 24, 2026 still apply to alterations and repairs of light-sport aircraft certificated before July 24, 2026 and to issuance of experimental airworthiness certificates for kit-built light-sport aircraft when FAA Form 8130-15 was signed before July 24, 2026. Those prior consensus standards do not apply to light-sport aircraft certificated on or after July 24, 2026 or to experimental certificates with Form 8130-15 signed after July 24, 2026.
Simplified Flight Controls Designation Not Available
ASTM has not submitted, and the FAA has not accepted, a consensus standard to enable Sec. 22.180's requirement for light-sport category aircraft with simplified flight controls. Therefore, manufacturers are not eligible to declare compliance with Sec. 21.180 and have their airplanes or gliders be designated as light-sport category aircraft with simplified flight controls at this time.
Only Specific Versions Are Accepted
The FAA's acceptance covers only the specific versions of the underlying functional standards listed in the integration-standard tables; if an underlying functional standard is revised, that revised standard is not accepted by the FAA until it is identified in a new revision of an integration standard that the FAA accepts. This means manufacturers must use the exact versions listed in the accepted integration standards to rely on the FAA MOC.
F3840-26 Not Accepted for Multicopters
ASTM F3840-26 was intended to serve as an MOC for both powered-lift and multicopters, but the FAA is accepting F3840-26 as an MOC only for powered-lift light-sport category aircraft at this time. Multicopter makers cannot rely on F3840-26 as an FAA-accepted MOC.
Standards Are Guidance and Voluntary
The document is guidance: its content is not legally binding and conformity with it is voluntary. Nonconformity will not by itself affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.
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